The BPIF is the principal business support organisation representing the UK print, printed packaging and graphic communication industry and is one of the country's leading trade associations. We are a not-for-profit-distribution organisation.
REACH out
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03 June 2008
The EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals (REACH) legislation, came into force on June 1st 2007 with the aim of registering and evaluating chemicals manufactured or imported by EU member states to more effectively manage the risks they may pose to people and the environment. The REACH legislation applies to all chemical substances already manufactured in the EU or imported from outside of it in quantities over 1 tonne.
The pre-registration period for REACH began on the 1st June 2008 and continues until 1st December 2008. During this time any chemicals used in quantities over 1 tonne that are manufactured in the EU or imported from outside the EU should be pre-registered. Pre-registration of substances allows for phased-implementation of the full registration process at a later date, any chemicals not pre-registered by the 1st December 2008 must obtain full registration immediately or they will be withdrawn from the market.
Pre-registration is a simple process requiring the submission of some basic information to the European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki (ECHA) who are managing the implementation of REACH across the EU. In the UK the body responsible for facilitating the implementation of REACH legislation is the REACH Competent Authority hosted by the Health and Safety Executive. Full REACH registration requires the submission of more detailed information.
Pre-registration of chemicals is recommended to enable easier full registration later and also to avoid the risk of chemicals that your organisation utilises being withdrawn from the market.
For further information on REACH please see www.hse.gov.uk/reach/ and http://echa.europa.eu/home_en.asp or contact Liam Gardner at Liam.Gardner@BPIF.org.uk
